RBS 6 Nations 2016: 10 Storylines to Follow in Matchday 3
England, France and Wales head into Week 3 of the 2016 RBS Six Nations as the only remaining undefeated teams in the competition, but that all looks likely to change this weekend.
Les Bleus travel to the Principality Stadium hoping they can fare better than Scotland did in Week 2, while England play host to Ireland, who are full of motivation to seal their first victory of the tournament.
Italy and Scotland meet in Rome as they look to move away from the base of the standings, with neither side having claimed a point as of yet and the Wooden Spoon edging within sight.
We discuss all that and more in the top storylines to follow in Matchday 3.
1. Ireland Lay It All on the Line
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It's make-or-break time as far as Ireland's hopes of a successful title defence go—win this weekend, and they have the slimmest of chances; lose to the Red Rose, and that might as well be their tournament over.
Any positive signs taken from the 16-16 draw against Wales in Week 1 were reduced to rubble following a muted 10-9 defeat in Paris, and Joe Schmidt's side are under pressure to suspend their fall as quickly as possible.
The head coach is also under pressure in regards to his selection, having to decide whether to trust in those he's started so far for the trip to Twickenham, or if experimentation could lead to much greater rewards.
2. Wales and France Put Streaks on the Line
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There may not have been many who would have tipped France to be title contenders this far into the tournament, but after winning two from two under Guy Noves thus far, Les Bleus are riding high en route to Cardiff.
However, Warren Gatland's men are also unbeaten so far in this year's competition, and they gave a strong account of their ability on home turf last time out, when they came from behind to defeat Scotland 27-23.
Provided the two don't cancel each other out at the Principality Stadium, we should see the number of undefeated outfits reduced come Friday evening.
France haven't triumphed in the Welsh capital since 2010, and Wales are enjoying a four-match winning streak over Les Bleus, but one party will see their title bid rocked in Week 3.
3. The Wooden Spoon Race
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Scotland have shown touches of quality that would suggest they're far better than a Wooden Spoon team, and yet two weeks into the 2016 RBS Six Nations, Vern Cotter's side still haven't got a point.
The Scots showcased their superiority over the Azzurri last summer and defeated Jacques Brunel's side twice, the latter of which came in the form of a 48-7 drubbing at Murrayfield in August.
This pair have endured some close battles in years gone by and are usually regarded as the lesser threats among the Six Nations, but this "Wooden Spoon decider" also provides an opportunity to lay down a marker.
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4. Eddie Jones' Greatest Test Yet
4 of 10OK, the 2015 Rugby World Cup win over South Africa while still at Japan's helm may have been greater than anything present at this year's Six Nations, but Ireland present the biggest test as far as his England reign goes.
After appearing somewhat sluggish in the opening 15-9 victory over Scotland, the Red Rose worked some frustrations out of its system en route to beating Italy 40-9 in Rome last time out.
It's been speculated Ireland could call upon incoming defence coach Andy Farrell, currently with Munster, to draw some tips, but team manager Mick Kearney said that won't be the case, per the Irish Independent's Ruaidhri O'Connor: "I don't think so. Andy's contract and severance package from the RFU stated that he could not be involved with any other Six Nations team for the duration of the tournament. So we will abide by that particular condition of his contract. We look forward to seeing him on the first of April."
Ireland may be without a win from their first two outings, but the squad under Schmidt's command nevertheless boasts experience and shades of quality that Scotland and Italy perhaps don't.
Beat the Irish and England have a home tie against Wales to look forward to before travelling to France in Week 5, and the real graft begins here.
5. Wales' Warrior Pulls Through
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Wales opened their stride in Week 2 and ran to a 27-23 win over Scotland after exercising some of the back-line smoothness fans in Cardiff have long been waiting to see.
It looked like that synchronicity could be disrupted in Week 3 unless Jonathan Davies made the XV. However, the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed on Tuesday that Davies will start against the French, while Alex Cuthbert also came back into the XV at the expense of Tom James.
Along with Racing 92 lock and Wales team-mate Luke Charteris, Clermont Auvergne centre Davies didn't return to the Top 14 last weekend in order to deal with his injury concern.
Jamie Roberts has been in sterling form so far this tournament, but it's crucial the midfield ace has Davies as his foil for the visit of France as they look to maintain the same polished look in attack.
6. Will We See a Free Scotland?
6 of 10Scotland's Week 2 defeat to Wales was hurtful for travelling fans mainly due to the fact Cotter's side led entering the final quarter of the game, but also because they played some downright attractive rugby at times.
It was a difficult loss to take after Scotland succeeded in doing what they've been attempting for years now, only to have the result snatched away. However, centre star Peter Horne was quoted by the Press Association's Andy Newport and said he hopes to see the team open up more (h/t Daily Mail):
"It sucks when we're losing. It's horrible but you have to strive to do better. However, you don't want to put too much pressure on yourself. Instead of trying to win the match, you go in trying not to lose. If that happens, everyone goes into their shell and you can't have that.
We're here for a reason. We've got some of the most exciting outside backs in the world but what good is it if the likes of Hoggy and the others are going into their shell?
That's not going to help anyone. We need them to be expressing themselves. Any time Hoggy gets the ball in a bit of space I light up because I think something is going to happen. That's what we want. We want it to spread through the rest of the squad.
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Horne is right to have confidence in his team-mates, and a fixture opposite Italy may be exactly what they need to exorcise some demons, playing well and getting some points on the board all at the same time.
The pressure on Scotland to perform means they can't always be as expressive as the rest of the world's higher powers, but fans can expect to see a more liberated front in the Italian capital this Saturday.
7. Stuart McCloskey in Line for Dazzling Debut?
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A superb run of form at Ulster has led to calls for Stuart McCloskey to be handed his chance in the Ireland team, and with Jared Payne struggling with injury, per BBC Sport, this could be his week.
Standing almost 6'4" and carrying a 17-stone frame, it's hard to believe McCloskey is just 23 years of age, but the Irish Independent's Tony Ward has backed the centre to shine in the No. 12 jersey:
"The half-backs would remain the same with Henshaw moving one slot out, thereby making way for McCloskey's inclusion from the off. Unless Schmidt has spotted some gaping deficiency in the Ulster man's make-up in training then if ever an opportunity was earned this surely is it."
McCloskey's physical attributes make him an option in either of the centre roles, but his familiarity at 12 could make for an easier transition, and many might call for his start even if Payne were present.
Alongside Garry Ringrose, McCloskey has been gathering pace as a future Ireland figure, and Saturday's trip to Twickenham could mark the beginning of the nation's next wave of talent.
8. French Blushes Spared?
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The French Rugby Federation (FFR) was left red-faced this past week after Castres winger David Smith, who has lived in France since moving to Toulon in 2011, was called up, only for it to come to light that he's ineligible.
The Samoan-born bruiser once represented New Zealand Sevens, thus meaning he can't play for any other nation and leading to what's likely to be one of the more embarrassing clerical errors of the tournament.
Following injuries to the likes of Benjamin Fall, Marvin O'Connor, Teddy Thomas and Wesley Fofana, Les Bleus are also now low on back talent, after Simon Thomas of Wales Online said coach Guy Noves wouldn't summon a replacement.
Perhaps he just couldn't risk the embarrassment of another slip-up.
9. Italy Fighting for Six Nations Future?
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A heavy defeat here or there may still be considered semi-regular in Italy's annual calendar, but while we normally shrug such results off, there's a chance the Azzurri now have more reason to be wary of such defeats.
The Guardian's Michael Aylwin recently detailed how World Cup fan favourites Georgia continue to be frustrated on the fringes of the Six Nations, meaning Italy might want to up their performances.
There's no sign of an actual threat being posed to their future involvement just yet, but World Rugby may need to see more from the Azzurri in these type of games in order to build confidence.
10. England's Selection Headache Rises Again
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Another week, another period of wondering precisely how England coach Jones can blend this assortment of backs and forwards into the most potent cocktail possible without hindering his side's title chances.
After seeing the Saracens utility impress from the bench in his debut against Italy, Maro Itoje has earned the backing of former England flanker Lewis Moody to start against Ireland, per Chris Jones of the London Evening Standard:
"I would 100 per cent start Itoje against Ireland. While you could say that when Itoje came on against Italy they were starting to capitulate, he had to impress and did just that, winning a line-out and stealing ball at the break down. Robshaw and James Haskell are not natural jumpers and Itoje is, which would give England a third option in attack and defence at the line-out.
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It would be as much of a symbolical call as one simply relating to personnel if Jones were to drop Chris Robshaw, a decision that could potentially mean the end of an era for England in one respect.
Moody also picked Gloucester's Matt Kvesic to start as England's "only true openside," tipping Manu Tuilagi to return against Wales, while others may question whether Danny Care will be in the running to start.
England are flying high at the top of the table for now, but the selection dilemmas aren't likely to stop anytime soon for Jones.
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